Birthday present for 16 year old SIL

My SIL is turning 16 on Sunday, and of course DH is clueless as to what to get her. I’m not that much older than her, but I cannot remeber what I would have wanted at her age (other than an ipod touch, which I got, but we definitely can’t afford that).

She is a tiny bit of a girly girl every once in a while, but her four brothers usually squech that pretty fast. She doesn’t wear makeup and rarely does her nails. She is a bit of a nerd, her one suggestion to me was Doctor Who mechandise, which I am going to look for, but I would like to get her something else creative. She likes Star Wars, the Lord of the Rings, and Doctor Who obviously.

We can’t spend too much on her, probably $30-$50. Does anyone have any ideas for what she might like?

I agree with a gift card, all I remember wanting was money or gift cards so I could buy things. It’s nice to receive cash when you don’t have a job and you’re of the age where your parents aren’t buying you everything you want anymore.

Hmm perhaps a gift card. She’s not the average 16 year old, I know she would enjoy a gift card but a physical gift would probably mean more to her. She actually has a job and a fair amount of money, but MIL is crazy about money and really controls what her kids spend. She even tries to guilt trip DH and I anytime she finds out we spent more money than she thinks we should have.

Tigerlilybride: Does she like music? My sister is 16 and itunes gift cards are popular with her. I agree with PPs on the gift cards. Really any gift cards make my sister happy – I know some people consider them to be impersonal, but my sister doesn’t have a job so gift cards that let her do or buy something (movie theater, stores she likes) are great for her.

Other gifts we get for her are musical-related (she is really into theater) or DVDs of movies and shows she likes – both of those go over well. I also got her a subscription box this year – it was filled with beauty products, but maybe you could find one that works better with your SIL’s personality? I spent $30ish and got 3 months of boxes, which was fun for my sister to get.

Tigerlilybride: wouldnt the gift card be good then? Total out of MILS control? She doesnt have to know how much it was. Thats really weird. The visa cards can be used online too so even better if she can’t make it to a store

IDK I love gift cards- prefer it over random things I may or may not like. I always give gift cards unless I have a specific gift in mind…something that person will really enjoy/ is unique ect..

Boxerlover24: If it’s a store specific card it would work, but if it was a Visa card MIL would get her to keep it and not spend it. She really is an odd person. i don’t think SIL really knows what stores she likes to shop at, so getting a store specific one could be bad.

I was also going to suggest an Itunes gift card but if you aren’t keen on gift cards, my 17 year old sister always loves a new cute dress, fun (think bright colours) handbag or purse… It’s awesome because she is young, the label doesn’t matter and I just go a little nuts and get her a tonne of fun stuff from Kmart and you can get a whole outfit for $30 😀

Do you live close by? Why don’t you gift her with a “girls afternoon out”.

I know you said she doesn’t really do nails, but maybe it’s because there is no one who does it with her? I have a 15 year old sister (who is a girly girl, but also gets dirty and rides horses). Her FAVORITE thing is when I take her for girls afternoon. We’ll get lunch and have our nails done or get lunch and go shopping.

Personally, I’d take her to lunch and then to the mall – and when you get there hand her $50 and tell her to buy whatever her heart desires. That way it’s just the two of you, she still gets to pick what she wants, and MIL doesn’t control the money.